Evaluation of Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase in Dogs with Hepatic and Splenic Tumours

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic utility of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in dogs affected with hepatic and splenic tumours. Dogs presented to Madras Veterinary College Hospital, Chennai, with clinical signs suggestive of intra-abdominal neoplasia were subjected to detailed clinical examination, radiography, and ultrasonography. Cytological and histopathological examinations were performed for definitive diagnosis. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was evaluated in 15 dogs with hepatic tumours, 15 dogs with splenic tumours, and 12 clinically healthy dogs used as controls for comparison. Serum LDH levels were significantly elevated in tumour-bearing dogs compared to healthy controls. However, no significant difference was observed between hepatic and splenic tumour groups. Among the hepatic and splenic tumour groups, dogs diagnosed with cholangiocellular carcinoma and splenic lymphoma, respectively, exhibited comparatively higher serum LDH concentrations than dogs affected with other tumour types. The findings suggest that serum LDH may serve as a useful biomarker for detecting intra-abdominal neoplasia in dogs, although its utility in differentiating tumour location appears limited.